This is View from the Hill's roundup of the most interesting news from Capitol Hill pertaining to North Carolina and higher education.
Last week North Carolina’s congressional delegation focused on veteran affairs reform, remembering the 70th anniversary of D-Day, as well as innovations and projects occurring in North Carolina.
Senator Burr Focuses on VA Reform
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced the Veteran’s Choice Act to the U.S. Senate last week with bipartisan support, including that of Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.
McCain co-sponsored the bill with U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The bill aims to allow veterans to receive quality medical care outside of veteran affairs facilities while increasing the transparency of veteran affairs’ actions.
Many veterans’ organizations, such as the American Legion, have supported the bill. It appears to have bipartisan support after U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., endorsed the bill with McCain this week and picked up a democratic co-sponsor in Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs last Tuesday.
70th Anniversary of D-Day
On the 70th anniversary of D-Day last Friday, U.S. Sens. Burr and Hagan took the time this week to honor the soldiers who fought and died.
They each visited memorials, and Hagan met with D-Day veterans. She released a statement afterwards thanking servicemen for their sacrifices and noting how the legacy of their service stays alive today in a free Europe.
Members of Congress come home in Election Years
Hagan and U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., were in North Carolina this week.
Hagan visited North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to laud the school for its innovations and status as a leading historically black university and college (HBCU) in the country.
She also used the opportunity to show how A&T students could be helped by her HBCU Innovation Fund Bill. The bill, introduced by Hagan in mid-May, was referred to the N.C. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and has been in committee since its referral.
Price also toured businesses and met with local officials, including Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens, to discuss federal partnerships with local municipalities.
Both Hagan and Price are up for re-election this November.
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